Speed regulator for electric motors



Aug. 29, 1950 N. E. COLEGROVE 2,520,492

SPEED REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS Filed July 20, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

2 IVATl/A N/ L E. UOLEGROVEI A TTORNE YJ 1950 N. E. COLEGROVE 2,520,492

SPEED REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS Filed July 20, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

/VA THA N/EL. E. (04 EGROVE A T TORNE Y5 Patented Aug. 29, 1950 2,520,492 SPEED REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC MOTOR v Nathaniel E. Colegrove, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to White Sewing Machine Corporation, Cleve land, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application July 20, 1945, Serial No. 606,068

3 Claims. (Cl. 318346) This invention relates to a speed regulator for an electric drive motor. The drive motor, the speed of which is controlled by the speed regulator embodying the invention, can be utilized for driving various forms of apparatus or devices which it is desired to operate at different predetermined speeds.

As an example of an apparatus which may be driven by such drive motor reference ismade to a sewing machine, although it will be understood that this use is merely illustrative and is not referred to in any way as a limitation.

Electric drive motors heretofore have had their speeds controlled by regulators of the centrifugal governor type.

These regulators are dependent in their function upon the acceleration or deceleration of the drive motor and are subject to inertia and other effects which minimize their accuracy and efficiency.

An object of the invention is to provide a speed regulator for an electric drive motor which controls the speed of said motor accurately and efficiently, is not dependent in any way upon the acceleration or deceleration of the drive motor and is highly accurate, inasmuch as it is not subject in its function to inertia or other effects.

Electric drive motors also have had their speeds controlled or regulated by control elements which vary the voltage input to the motors. This type of speed regulator or controller has the disadvantage that the motor when operating at low speed: is energized at a relatively low voltage and hence the motor at such low speeds does not develop its maximum power. In the operation of certain apparatus or devices at low speed it is desirable and requisite for the drive motor to develop its maximum power if the apparatus or devices are to function at full efficiency. In fact many devices or apparatus require greater power to operate efiectively at low speeds than they do when operating at high speeds, at which time the? momentum of the parts facilitates the operation ofthe apparatus or devices. An excellent illustration of the advantage of an electric motor developing full power at low speed is found in connection with the electric drive motor for a sewing machine. The operator of a sewing machine often desires to run the machine at low speed and frequently this situation exists when sewing is being performed on relatively thick materials or upon a number of layers of materials requiring maximum power in passing the needle of the machine through the materials. If the electric drive motor of the sewing machine is controlled by a speed regulator of the type which varies the voltage input to the motor the latter will not" develop its full power at lowspeeds and hence the machine will not function efficiently at low speeds, especially since often the low speed oper- "ation of the machine occurs when maximum power is required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a speed regulator foran electric drive motor of such character that the energization of the drive motor is effected always at full line voltage, wherefore the motor will have maximum power Within its capacity for'low speeds.

Another'object of the invention is to provide a speed regulator for an electric drive motor which is entirelyindep'endent of the drive motor, that is, is not operated by the drive motor, does not vary the voltage input'to the motor, and the motor windings form no part of the speedcontrolling function. f

Further and additional objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter during the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention which'is to follow.

The invention contemplates a speed regulator for an electric drive motor which is entirely separate and distinct from the drive motor. The speed regulat'or'is of such character that it'controls the speed-ofthe' drive motor by subjecting the latter to energiz'ation always at full line voltage for predetermined spaced intervals; that is,

it causes a series of impulses at full line voltage to bedeliveredto the "drive motor with the number of these impulses per unit of time and the V duration thereoffbeing variable at the will of the operator. t

The inventionmore specifically contemplates including in the speed regulator a constant speed electric"regulator'motor energized by a circuit separate from the drivemotor circuit. The regulator motor actuatesa movable member, preferably a rotatable member, and which electrically interconnects separated contact elements in the drive motor 'Cir'cuit'for a predetermined interval during each complete cycle of movement of said member, A means provides for a relationship betweenone of said elements and said member wherein the drive motor is not energized and is idle. During 1 this relationship the regulator motor is automatically deenergized. When this relationship is changed the regulator motor is automatically energized. Also when this relationship is changed 'an infinite series of relationships betweensaid one element and said member can beobtai'n'ed for energizing the drive motor for predetermined but variable intervals during each complete cycle of movement of said member by said regulator moto'r, wherefore'a variable series of current impulses at full line voltage can be imparted to the drive motor to cause the same to "operate 'atan infinite number of speeds up to its maximum high speed.

' Referring, to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments'of the invention: Fig. 1 is 'a plan view of the speed regulator, with the drive motor and the drive motor circuit connected to the regulatorindicated diagrammatically.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the speed regulator with a portion of the frame of the regulator broken-away'to disclose the circuit breaker in the regulator motor circuit and which circuit is indicated diagrammatically.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevationalwiewtof -thezspeed regulator with a portion of one of the gears broken away.

Fig. 4 is a detached plan-viewbf-themovable member of the regulator which controls'the electrical interconnection of thesseparaztedecontact elements in the drive motor circuit, with the means for adjusting. the relationship =-between said member and one of said elements and for :controlling the closingland opening-bribe circuitfibreaker in' "the regulator .motor .circuit. indicated bycdot and dash lines.

Fig. 5 .is an .-.elevational view 'rtaken from .line .:'5-.'.5 of :Fig. :4 looking in the direction. of the arrows, with-the imovable :member :of .the :regu- :lator shown: in-iull l-inesland withwthe: adjustable ameans :referred to in connection with 'Fig. i eshownrbydot: and fiashz'linesgitbeing. understood :that-such adjustablelmeans-is-ilocated intfront of ':the zmorabl-e member, -:the relationship .of the iparts pas. indicatedcin Fig.1:5 :being. such that the regulator motor circuit and thei'rlrivemotor cir- .-zcuit;ar.e ;bot-h GIIEDLHIHHibQbhTmDtOI'S areaidle.

iiggrfi iisga wiewrs'imiiar :to 5.: exceptthat zthe sadiustable :mea-ns :been :moved and the regulator motor circuitisoclo'sed, while the.;drive .=motor r circuit .will :be. -?ciosed-:for;.a ashont interval of time :fior each revolution :of :the movable .Lmember.

Eig. ;-7 ;;is :-.a :tview :similar;:.t01E-Fig.:.6 except that the adjvstablezmeansihas been adjusted soathat .the :drive motor :circuitwill :be iclosed-afgreater -period wof r-time during :each revolution of the .smovable member, 5i. il-L', will be rclosedmontinunuslyrand ---the;firive-'mo.tor mill ?he;,;operating.- at :maximumzhighispeed.

'Eig. -,8 isran .elevational-wiew :of :thennovable member shown in Fig. 4 and is taken docking .from :1ine-;.8 8 ;.of 4 -in;thedirection ,of the arrows and :Fig. 9.;is a:diagrammatic illustration"of;a=dif- @ferent form of. movable member-ior electrically -dnterconnecting the spaced or'separated contacts ,of :the-xirivemotor circuihand. a gd-ifierent form =ofad-justable means. iorava-rying theti-meperiod ,-.at which theacontact elements will be-electrically -in erconnected;for each revolution'of .the -movagblemaember.

{The speed: regulator :mavbe secured to ran .attaching :plate, not -.-shown, and which -:plate in -,-turn cans be secured to ltheg-anparatusmr device driven, :by the- -electric driveamotor. The regulator includes suitable eonstantsspeed regulator ;motor which may be of various types-:but :which -is:shown :byway of examplaes 1a :shaded-pole .constant -;sz aeed.-;alternating currentmotor. The rstatcr of therregulator motor isindicated at l 5 and .includesthe stator winding IS. The stator :supports bearings; ll forthe rotor=;shaft;.l8;of the :motor and which ;shaftr-has::fixe.d thereto the rotor VVhiChTlCVOlVBS'WithiflkthflfStEtOr H), as will her-well 11nderstood:by-those;skilled in the art. II-he rotor-shaft l-8:extendsiheyond:the. rear .(as viewed in the drawings) .bealingcl-land -has;fixed itOj its extended :end a :pinion .l 9 which -;continuously mesheswith-a .largeegearzo. The gear iiszifixed to:.one end of arshaftii' that is rotatably rmounted: inzaiiearmgibosszfi;mrried:bysa bracket :plate iisithatiisssecuredz-to the stator iizofzthe regulator motor. The shaft 2| hasritsi flp osite 4 end extending beyond the plate 23 and on this extended end of thezsshaft 21 the movable member 24 is-fixed-to rotatewvith-the-shait.

The movable member 24 is illustrated in the *form of a disk which is made of suitable insu- .l-ating material as, .for example, a suitable fiber or plastic. The member 24 on its side adjacent 'to the plate :23 has secured to it a ring or disk =25 of electrically conductive material and which is constantly in contact with a contact element ;-2- 6-,car.ried-by the plate 23 and shown by way of illustration as a carbon brush constructed after the manner of the usual commutator brush used in electric motors. The brush 2% is electrically 1 .I connected with .-:axbinding most :27, also carried .bytheiplazte .23.

"The -rmovable member 1'24 on its opposite aside has secured thereto-a contactiplate'flfi: formed of .--electrically conductive material androf :lessrarea zthanithe .side of the. movable: memberz'ii l .and of irregular shape. The contact mlate. 28;.is.:shown .as;having a straightxedge 28a. and acurved peiripheral edge 12812, 'the :cureature .of which zapvproximateslanzinvolutecurve. zThe contactplate 25 2-28 :is co,untersunk .in the ,;side surface of the member Mso-thatitheputersurface of the conztact. plater;:2 8,-is flush with the side of themem- -?b,er;24. The ringgiZS and the :contact .plate 128 tare aelectrically connected ;by A suitable means as 30 rioriexample, ;by.:- the .connecting'screw or rivet'29 I which extends-through the member 24.

gAi-zsupporting late-:30 is-secured'to the-stator !5 of the regulator motor and said plate 30carie ;a, b ushing-3|" WhiChrIZO0ka.b1y mounts a shaft 5 132 which haslsecured to .itsend outwardlylofthe supporting ;.plate 3!!- arcrankzarm 33 by meansof irvhich-theshait 32; isrocked. The shaft-32 in- ;wa-rdly f, the-plateau, has fixed to it-a;regulating disk; :34aformed of suitable electrically insulating 4O material, :such as fiber orplastic, and provided 1 with .a :contact point or element :35 similar to the contact ;.pointor element "26 ,and adapted to 'contact either the adjacent side surface of the member 424 .-.or-thee.contact plate .28, depending :;uponits adjusted position relative'to the-member 24.

The-contact element ,or point .35 is electrically 1 connected .with a binding post 35 shown as .car-

ried by the regulating disk. The binding post ;-2iis-;electric,ally connected with the wire .37 of .thedrive motor circuit, :whilethebinding post :36.-is-,-electrically connected --with the wire .38 of .said circuit, the drive motor being diagrammatically-indicated at.;39, see Fig.1. Thewirese'l and-3 8a of-the drive motor circuit areconnected to. a suitable source of. electrical energy.

s'Iheregulator motorv is in a circuit independent rotthedfive motor. circuit, andereferenc'e to Fig. 2 -.'.shows one-wiret0 of the. regulator. motor, circuit 012s econnected directly to the regulator motor while-theother wires Al and 4 I a ofthe regulator .motor circuit-includes -,a circuitbreaker. The wvires 4 i-,-and '4! of 'the regulator-motor circuit are econnected to .-;a suitable .-source of electric 5 :energy,as will be well understood.

'Theqcircuit breaker includes .a-fixed arm=42 :carriedzbyzthe supporting ;plate 30 and electritca-lly-iconnectedwith theawir a il and-a movable 1311111543 also-carriedby1theplate-30 but:;electri- 7i) really-connected,withthe :wire ila. The arms 42 and :4;3-:,oi" the circuit breaker are both provided .With contact points which engage when the arms aramovedtoward each other to close the circuit sbreaker, but which separate when the arms separate or move away from eachgothentdonenthe circuit breaker. The movable arm 43 is provided gages when the circuit breaker is open and the circuit to the regulator motor is interrupted. When the portion 43a of the arm 43 is engaging any other part of the periphery of the regulator disk 34 the circuit breaker is closed and the regulator motor is energized. The recess 34a of the regulator disk 34 is disposed a predetermined angular distance from the contact element 35 for a purpose later to be explained.

The operation of the speed regulator will now be described with reference particularly to Figs.

5,6 and '7. Assuming that the relationship between the movable member 24 of the regulator and the regulator disk 34 is as indicated in Fig. 5, *it will be seen that the bowed portion 43a of the movable arm 43 of the circuit breaker is in the notch 34a of the disk and the contacts of the arms 42 and 43 of the circuit breaker are separated and hence the regulator motor circuit is interrupted and the regulator motor is idle. It will also be seen that the contact element 35 carried by the regulator disk 34 is engaging the adjacent side of the member 24 at a location where it does not contact the plate 28 and hence the drive motor circuit is interrupted and said drive motor is idle.

Assumin that the operator wishes to energize the drive motor for slow speed operation to actuate at slow speed the particular device or apparatus with which the motor is used, the operator causes the crank-arm 33 to be moved in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in the drawing, to rock the shaft 32 and the regulator disk 34 from the position shown in Fig. 5 toward the position shown in Fig. 6. The first part of this movement of the regulator disk 34 causes the bowed portion 43a of the arm 43 of the circuit breaker to ride out of the notch 34a and onto the periphery of the disk 34, thus closing the contacts carried by the arms 43 and 42 and closing the circuit to the regulator motor to energize'the same and cause rotation of the member 24. The continued counterclockwise movement of the regulator disk 34 also changes the relationship between the contact element 35 and the member 24 from that shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig. 6. Inasmuch as the member 24 is now rota "ing the contact element 35 will engage the adjacent face of the member 24 along a circular path A, indicated in Fig. '6. It will be seen that this circular path crosses a small portion of the plate 28 during each revolution of the member 24 and therefore the contact 35 will be in engagement with the plate 28 for a short interval during each revolution of the member 24. The result is that the circuit to the drive motor will be momentarily closed for each revolution of the member 24 and the drive motor 39 will receive an energizing impulse at full line voltage and will operate at low speed but will develop approximately its full power.

Since the contact element 35 after it has been adjusted is stationary and the member 24 is rotating in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6, it will be seen that the contact element 35 leaves the plate '28 along th straight line portion 28a thereofduring each revolution and hence the contact element 35 makes a quick and abrupt disengagement from the plate 28.

If the operator desires to increase the speed of the drive motor 39 the crank-arm 33 is rocked further in a counterclockwise direction to change the relationship between the contact element and the member 24 so that the circular path of relative movement between the contact element 35 and the member 24 includes a greater portion of the plate 28 and hence increases the length of the interval or period during each revolution of the member 24 in which the motor 39 is energized at full line voltage. In this way the speed of the drive motor 39 can be increased to" maximum, at whichtime the contact element 35 is so related to the member 24 that the circular path of relative movement between the contact element 35 and the member 24 is included altogether within the confines of the plate 28 as indicated by the circle B in Fig. '7, and consequently the drive motor 39 is continuously energized atv full line voltage and hence is operating at the highest speed within its capacity.

Of course if the operator wishes to decrease the speed of the drive motor 39 from a higher speed the crank-arm 33 is rocked in a clockwise direction to conversely change the relationship between the contact element 35 and the member 24 and to cause shorter intervals of energization of the drive motor 39 for each revolution of the member 24.

. It will be noted that the speed of the drive motor 39 can be varied to an infinite number of different speeds between zero and maximum and also that when the adjustment of this relationthen the circuit breaker arms 42 and 43 are separated and the regulator motor is also deenergized; in other words, the regulator disk performs two functionsfirst, it effects the energization and deenergization of the regulator motor and second-it controls the speed of the drive motor and the parts are so related that the regulator motor is energized prior to the energization of the drive motor and that the drive 'motor is deenergized prior to the deenergization of the regulator motor. This arrangement provides for a simple control wherein the operator need only rock the crank arm 33 to control the energization and deenergization of the regulator motor and the drive motor and also to control the speed or operation of the latter motor.

It will further be noted that when the drive motor is operating it is always receiving current impulses at full line voltage, and hence is producing maximum power.

In Fig. 9 there is illustrated a slightly modified form of speed regulator wherein the movable member 24 is replaced by a rotating cylinder 44 which has its circumference subdivided into an insulated portion 44a and an electrically conductive portion 44b, with said latter portion arranged in a spiral about the circumference of the cylinder. A contact element (not shown) corresponding to the contact element 26 will be in continuous engagement with the electrically conductive portion 44b of the cylinder 44. A movable or adjustable contact element 45 will take the place of the contact element 35 and said element 45 can be moved into various positions relative to the cylinder'44 so as to always be in contact with the insulated portion 440. or so as to contact the conductive portion 44b for different periods or intervals for each revolution of the cylinder 44 to complete the circuit to the ifhus the; drivemotcr rcantbemperated 2at differpntidesiredzspeeds.

ElimEig. 9-;the contact-elementiis diselosedias :a ipivoted :arm which :can 'fbeeswungto .various :positions :toiobtain the relationshiprbetween*said aelementnand the periphery nffthe vcylinderefl :as dust described. "The :swinging 101 {the scontact aelement or arm 45 :f-rom-tthe positionwherein it zis-inzzcontact with the: insulated portion: 44a only :.of.:the:cylinder intoaa position to-aengagethe rconiductive .qiortion 4412 .of ithe cylinder during the ilatterfsrotation-cam first effect the: closing :of the :circnit to.the:regulatonmotor-zasiin the previously .zdescribed form. .In cplace 10f such an :arrangeimenira separate; marnialiy operated switch-"might the employed tfor effecting the energization zand :deenergization-fif theiregulator motor.

.r-"Although several embodiments of :thei invenrtion shave been "illustrated and idescriihed Feit will be understood that :the 1-invention' is susceptible zof-svarious modifications and adaptations Within :thescope of 2 the "appended :claims.

iHaving: thus 'described :my :invention, :1 :claim:

1. 'A' :speedreguiatorzifor :an-' electric :drive enotor :comprising :.,a rccnstant speed electric :regulator -motor, .an energizing acircuit for :said' regulator :motor.includingn-normallywpen switch, a substantially disk shaped electrically non-conduc- "ve :rotatable .member :driven iioy said regulator .=motor, anuelectrically conductive element-car- ;r-ierlazby said: member on-onesside thereo'i", ia conrtact element continuously in engagement with said electrically conductive element, an irregular shaped electrically conductive element carried-by :said member onthe opposite sidethereo'f, means carried by said: member electrically interconnecting said conductive elements, a second contact :element engaging the-said opposite side or" said --member, operator actuated :means movably 1 mounting said second contactelement-"ior sliding over the-surface of said oppositesideofsaidmemher to vary the: position ---of said second contact from'onewvherein'it is outo'f engagement with said irregular shaped conductive element toone wherein-it engages said latterelement for a period -of predetermined duration during each revolutionof said member, the duration of said-period being determined by the amount of movement of said operator actuate'dmeanymeans 'on 'said movabl-y-mounted means actuating saidswitch to closed position i when said -mova'bly-mounted -means'is positioned to efiect'engagement-of-said *secondcontactwith said irregular shaped conductive element, and a'drive'circuit forsaiddrive "motor and "including said contact elements, "whereby thesaid drive motor is operated'at-speeds less than, fullspeed byimpulses ofkelectrical cur- "rent at full line'voltage 'sotthat the speedof the 'said drive motor'isdeterminedbythe lengthof timethe said contact elements are electrically interconnected during each revolution of said rotatable. member.

*2. .A speedregulator'foran electric-drive motor comprising a constant speed ielectrictregulator ,motor, and energizing circuitfor said regulator :motor and including a-circuit breaker having "relatively movable contact arms normally spaced from each other, a rockable regulator disk engaging one'of said contact arms-and-having a portion acting to move said arms 'toward each other to close the circuit=breaker and-energize said regulator motor and aportion'allowing'said armsto separate to open the circuit-breaker and .8 .nieenergizesaidregulatonmotor, a rotatable;mem-

:zgbQlidI'i-VQD-bY saidzregulator motor-and provided 20110118 side with a regular shaped --electrical1y .rconductiveelementand on-its opposite-face with san irregular sshaped electrically conductive ele- :ment, means. carriedcby said: member. electrically interconnecting .said elements, an independent drive-motor circuit including separated contact ..-.elements,- one of said contact elements :continu- .ouslyengaging saidFfirst-named .electricallycon- :ductiveelement, the 4 other of saidcontact ele- -,ments being carriedby said regulator .disk and. so positioned thereon. that Whensaidv disk has. been rocked-to 4 close said circuit breaker said contact element is .rpositioned to =-;engage said irregular shaped conductive element of said member once nduringseach revolution thereof for =.-a -.predeter- (mined-period thedurationoi which vdependssupon -.the-rocked.position of said regulator dish-wherebya-saidsdrivemotor,circuit will belclosedto energize, said drivez-motor atfull line voltage fonan interval. of predetermined duration in -eachrevo- -;lution of said member.

3. A speed.regulator foranlelectric drivemotor comprising aaeconstant speed electric regulator ,motor, ianienergizingcircuit for said regulator .motonincluding .ainormally open; circuit breaker,

.aadisk-shaped rotatable member. driven-.by-said ,regulatoixmotor and, having electrically.- conductiveand non-conductive portions; the: area .otsaid conductive portion on at least one face ofzsaid .memberbeing less. than the area ;of. thatatace of .the member regulating-means movable v in-iapath ,parallel Withsaidhoneiace of said member, a

. -contact element v mounted -.on said regulating means .and..engageable .with the conductive -.por- .t-ion. of said memberifor. a period of selected-drum .tion onceduring each revolution of. said member .oraeng-ageable only .with thB,DOIl-1COIIdU.Cti-VB=POI- 4 -tionthereof. depending upon thepositionof. said ..1'egulat;ing. means, an, independent .circuitincludzine-said contactelement andanelementin-con- .tinnous-electric conductive. relationship withthe conductive portionof said member foraenergizing ,saididrive motor, andmeans on saidregulati-ng ,means cooperating with said circuit breaker to ,automatically closethe latter when the contact "element carried by said regulator. meansisposi- .tioned ..to engage the conductive ;portion of said .memberduring each revolution, of -the latter; or ;to automatically cause .-.said circuit breaker to lopen when the contactelement is inapositionto .engage only .the non-conductive portion: of i said member.

NATHANIEL COLEGROVE.

REFERENCES CITED Theiollowing references fare-10f record iny;the file 1 .of this patent l 

